Thomas Kauffman
Thomas S. Kaufman was born in Virginia on December 22, 1902 to Willis and Sarah Kaufman. The family had moved to 806 Pine Street in Camden by 1904, and a daughter, Essie, was born a few years later. Willis Kaufman worked as a carpenter to support his family. By 1910 the Kauffman family had moved to 806 South 9th Street, and remained at that address through 1914. The family had moved to 804 South 9th Street when the census was taken in 1920. Thomas Kaufman was then working as a chauffer for a private family.
On April 25, 1924 Thomas Kaufman was appointed to the Camden Police Department along with Earl Stopfer. He and wife Martha were renting a home at 336 Boyd Street when the Census was taken in April of 1930.
Thomas Kauffman was friendly with Camden political leader C. Leonard Brehm. He and his wife were boating with Mr. and Mrs. Brehm in the Delaware below Delair when the boat struck a rock. Mr. Brehm drowned trying to keep the boat afloat. Mrs. Brehm and their son, the Kauffmans, and another boy survived.
Thomas Kauffman served as a motorcycle policeman for several years at the beginning of his career. By 1947 he had been promoted to detective. He was then living with his wife Martha at 316 Boyd Street, and was still on the force as late as 1949. Thomas Kaufman was still living at 316 Boyd Street when the 1959 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory was compiled.
Thomas and Martha Kauffman later moved to Beach Haven NJ. A list of Camden Police officers kept by William Schultz states that in 1980 Thomas Kauffman was retired and collecting his pension. Martha Kauffman died in February of 1980; her husband, Thomas Kauffman, passed away in April of 1982.
Four Motorists Fined in City Police Court
Camden Courier-Post —
Four motorists arrested for reckless driving or speeding were fined today by Judge Bernard Bertman in police court.
Thelman White, of Atlantic City, paid what Judge Bertman termed a “double fine” of $20. Thomas Kauffman, a motorcycle policeman, testified White had a “moonshine breath” when he apprehended him at Broadway and Kaighn avenue after a chase of several blocks.
Kauffman said he blew his police whistle constantly while pursuing White without avail. White, charged with reckless driving, said he did not hear the whistle.
John D. Wysocki, 20 years old, 1121 Atlantic avenue, was fined $20 after James Wilson, motorcycle policeman, charged he speeded 38 miles an hour along Kaighn avenue. Filippo Cuzbubo, 36 years old, Swedesboro, was fined $10 on testimony by Policeman Charles Stone that he drove recklessly past a bus at Broadway and Washington street, and Clifford Heminway, 19 years old, 924 Tulip street, was fined $10 on complaint of Emil Muckelsturm, Jr., 1441 Cresmont avenue, that Heminway’s truck had damaged his automobile in a crash at Sixth and Walnut streets.
Police Escort Funeral of Former Chief Hyde
Camden Courier-Post —
A police motorcycle squad under the command of Inspector Humes acted as escort today at the funeral service of Edward S. Hyde, former police chief and a member of the board of freeholders, who died Sunday.
Services took place at the home, 832 Haddon Avenue, and burial was in Harleigh Cemetery. Members of the police detail were Sergeant Jefferson Kay, patrolmen Thomas Kauffman, William Moll, John Stanton, Thomas Welch and James Wilson.
Hyde was appointed to the police force in April, 1894, and pensioned July, 1923. He succeeded Chief Gravenor when the latter resigned in 1922. Long interested in politics, he was elected freeholder two years ago. He is survived by his widow, Mina B. Hyde, and three daughters, Mrs. Marion Garlan, Mrs. Mary Van Hart and Emma Hyde.
Alleged Tipsy Driver Freed in $500 Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
Arrested on a charge of drunken driving, John Morrissey, 31, of 4339 North Seventh street, Philadelphia, was released in $500 bail today for a hearing in traffic court Thursday night.
Motorcycle Policeman Thomas Kauffman arrested Morrissey at Seventh and Linden streets early yesterday when he saw Morrissey’s car zigzagging down the street. Morrissey was examined and declared drunk by Dr. Charles L. Ley, police surgeon.
6 Men Are Nabbed as Number Writers
Camden Morning Post —
Arrests Lead to Belief Shore Racketeers Are Working Here
Arrest of six alleged number writers here yesterday has spread the belief that Atlantic City racketeers have established “branch offices” on downtown street corners. Four of the accused, all of whom were caught by members of the traffic squad, will be given hearings this morning. The other two were sentenced to 60 days each in the Camden county jail, when unable to pay fines of $50 imposed by Police Judge Garfield Pancoast yesterday.
All of the men were arrested while soliciting “business.”
‘Pick Up’ Man Nabbed
One of the six men arrested is believed to be the “pickup man” for the syndicate. He was in an automobile bearing Atlantic county tags and his pockets were filled with number slips and cash, according to the police.
Henry Davis, 36, of 208 Walnut street, and Alonzo Singleton, 20, of 256 Chestnut street, were arrested by Sergeant Jeff Kay and Motorcycle Policeman Thomas Kauffman at Second and Kaighn avenue. One man was standing on the northwest corner and the other on the southwest corner, soliciting business, the police testified. Davis and Singleton pleaded guilty and went to jail for 60 days.
LeRoy Keeler, 20, of 1617 Arctic avenue, Atlantic City, and David Watson, 29, of Second and Mt. Vernon streets, Camden, were arrested at Broadway and Mickle street by Motorcycle Policeman Charles Smith and William Moll. They were held for hearings this morning.
Wesley Edgehill, 35, of 1623½ Arctic avenue, Atlantic City, alleged by the police to be the “pickup man” for the Atlantic City barons, was arrested by Smith and Moll at West and Mickle streets. Edgehill was driving an automobile bearing Atlantic county tags. He had “hundreds of numbers slips and plenty of cash” in his pockets when arrested, according to the police. He also will be given a hearing this morning.
Wilbert William, 20, of 1010 Walnut street, was the sixth man arrested. He was caught selling numbers at Mt. Ephraim and Kaighn avenues, according to Kauffman and Kay. He will face Judge Pancoast today.
No Drive Ordered
Questioned regarding whether the traffic squad was making a drive against numbers game operators in Camden, Police Capt. Charles T. Humes, inspector of traffic, said no orders had been issued for a drive on operators. The motorcycle policemen were only acting in line of regular duty, he said.
Major Charles V. H. Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, stated yesterday that the arrests were not part of a concerted drive against the number “barons.” He said: “There is no particular drive under way. The first I knew of the matter was when I read of the arrests in the Courier-Post. I questioned one of the men and he stated that he saw the writers selling slips and picked them up. There have been no orders issued except that I will not tolerate any form of gambling and want the city kept clean of it.”
Homeless Colored Man Is Injured in Collapse of 2 Abandoned Houses
Camden Courier-Post —
Two abandoned brick dwellings on Pennsylvania Avenue above Tenth Street weakened by the removal of wooden framework and the recent storm, collapsed last night, injuring a homeless colored man who had sought refuge in one of them.
The house was a twin structure and had been untenanted for some time. Only one house in the row of ten houses on the street is occupied. The building came tumbling down with a crash at 10:55 PM. A telephone call to police headquarters brought Motorcycle Policemen Thomas Kauffman and Frank Evans to the scene.
Screams issued from the debris and the two policemen dug into the bricks, finally reaching the man. He gave his name at Cooper Hospital as Harry O’Neill, 60, no address. He was treated for bruises of the body and cuts of the face and body. He said he sought shelter for the night on the first floor of one of the houses.
Fined as Habitual All-Night Parker
Camden Courier-Post —
Motorist Tagged More Than 7 Times for Same Offense
Charged with being a chronic offender against the all-night parking ban, Wolden Magann, 29, of 2801 Westfield avenue, was fined $5.00 and costs last night by Acting Police Judge James S. Smith in Camden traffic court.
Policeman Ralph Cline arrested Magann January 13 after he had tagged his car seven times. Since his arrest his car has been tagged several times more.
Charged with reckless driving after crashing into the opened Wilson boulevard drawbridge over Cooper River, Warren Mahn, 21, 207 Pavilion avenue, Riverside, was found not guilty and his case dismissed.
George W. Johnson, bridgetender, charged that Mahn ignored red lights. Mahn said he saw only one light, a white one. He denied speeding.
Judge Smith dismissed charges of passing a red light and driving without a license against Joseph M. Shapelow, 26, of Woodlynne. He was arrested January 28 by Policeman Thomas Kauffman. Shapelow said he was hurrying home because his mother, a passenger in his car, was ill. He said he was without work.
Nine motorists failed to appear.
License of Driver Freed, Is Revoked
Camden Courier-Post —
South Camden Man Cleared of Tipsy Charge to Again Permit
A South Camden man, convicted in police court of drunken driving, but acquitted on his appeal to Judge Samuel Shay, will seek reinstatement of his driver’s license which was revoked officially today by Motor Vehicle Commissioner Harold G. Hoffman.
The man, Sylvester Tazcinski, 1477 South Tenth Street, was arrested April 28 by Motorcycle Policemen Edward Shapiro and Thomas Kauffman after Tazcinski’s car is alleged to have sideswiped Kauffman’s motorcycle. They followed the car to Tazcinski’s house where they found it parked. The policemen told Judge Shay on Tuesday they were unable to testify Tazcinski was driving and the judge released the defendant after saying he was convinced Tazcinski was drunk.
William Mazzare, 922 South Fifth Street, arrested April 16 after his automobile crashed into parked cars at Mt. Ephraim and Kaighn Avenue, also was deprived of his license. Mazzare was fined $220 by Police Judge Pancoast on April 17.
Edward T. Cheeseman, Ashland Road, Magnolia, arrested April 17 after a chase of more than two miles, also lost his license. Cheeseman was halted by Camden police a few feet from the closed gates of the Reading Ferry.
Four Men and Woman Admit Dispute Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Four men and a woman were fined $25 each yesterday after they perplexed Police Judge Pancoast by pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct charge, but denied that they had been disorderly.
The defendants are Joseph and William Greenan, brothers, 38 and 24, respectively, both of 741 Fairview street; Edward Covey, 24, of 2221 South Seventh Street; Walter Koscianski, 28, of 966 Bulson Street, and Mary Johnson, 18, of 224 Morris Street, Gloucester.
They were arrested Sunday night by Motorcycle Policeman Thomas Kauffman at Tenth and Bulson Streets. Earlier, he had stopped them on Admiral Wilson Boulevard and because they had been drinking but were not drunk, he told them to go home.
Later someone called police headquarters and said that Kauffman was drunk. He was suspicious and arrested the five. Yesterday they pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, but denied they had telephoned headquarters or had done anything disorderly.
Passed Bogus Bills in Stores Here, Boy Reveals to Police
Camden Morning Post —
Tells Weird Tale of Being ‘Taken for Ride’ by Three Men
FEARED DEATH IN RIVER
A 19-year-old coffee salesman yesterday confessed, according to the police, to passing counterfeit $10 bills in Camden saloons and drug stores. He then told a strange story of being taken for a ride and threatened with death by drowning.
He gave his name as Harry Yellin, of 830 Mt. Vernon street. After signing the alleged confession, he was held by city police for agents of the United States Department of Justice.
According to his story to detectives, Yellin was seized by three men Monday night, carried off in their automobile and taken to the banks of a creek or river. There, stones were tied around his neck and the men threatened to throw him in the water unless he told where he kept collections from coffee sales. Finally, however, they released him.
Yellin was arrested charged with loitering when he was unable to explain his presence at 4 a. m. at Third and Spruce streets to Motorcycle Patrolman Thomas Kauffman.
At headquarters, Yellin was recognized by Detective Benjamin Simon as a counterfeit suspect, Simon said. With Detectives Clifford Del Rossi and Clarence Arthur, Yellin was questioned for more than an hour before he confessed.
Simon quoted Yellin as follows regarding the “ride” story: “Sometime after midnight, three men picked me up somewhere in Camden and forced me into their car and under threats of death, demanded that I tell them where I kept large sums of money I collected on my coffee route. I told them I did not collect any large sums of money and they drove me to the bank of some creek or river, I don’t know which, and tied several huge rocks around my neck.
“One of the men ordered me to be thrown in the water and they were about to push me in when they changed their minds, took the rocks from my neck and ordered me back in the car. They drove me to Second and Clinton streets, where they pushed me out, and I was on my way home when I was arrested.
“These men kept asking me while they were riding me around in their car if I was passing any counterfeit money, and when I told them I was not, they insisted about asking me about counterfeit money. I have an idea they wanted to see if I would talk and I think they were members of the New York counterfeit gang, several of which I met when I was in New York. When they found out I wouldn’t talk, I guess they decided everything was all right.”
Yellin’s Confession
Following is the alleged counterfeiting confession Simon said Yellin made: “Some time ago after I got these counterfeit notes in a hotel in New York from two fellows introduced to me as ‘Joe’ and ‘Eddie,’ I came to Camden and got rid of them as soon as I could. When I met these men, they suggested that we shoot some crap, after which they offered to sell me some counterfeit bills. I bought three of the $10 notes for $15, and they gave me the rest of them for good measure.
“The first one I passed was in a saloon at Haddon avenue and Whitman avenue. I bought a glass of beer and a package of cigarettes in this place. The next one was in a drug store at the northeast corner of Seventh and Pine streets, where I again purchased a pack of cigarettes.
“The third bill I passed in a saloon on Market street above Delaware avenue. I think the name is Thompson’s Grille. I bought a pack of cigarettes and a glass of beer. The next one was passed in a drug store at Mt. Ephraim and Everett street. One in a cafe on Walnut street near Broadway, and another in a drug store on Broadway near Mt. Vernon. I got $9 in change from a drunken man at the Parkside Grille, on Kaighn avenue near Haddon avenue, and passed another in a grocery store at Fourth and Royden streets, where I purchased a can of oil.”
According to Detective Simon a warrant has been issued charging Yellin with larceny of a watch and field glasses, valued at $55, from his two brothers. He will be arraigned today on this count before Judge Pancoast.
Man Slashed in Row, Suspect, Woman Held
Camden Courier-Post —
Thirty-two stitches were required to close razor cuts on the face of Finley Phillips, 38, of 426 Henry street, at West Jersey Hospital yesterday.
Police said he was slashed by William Giles, 33, of 439 Washington street, when the two met at the home of Hermeza Russell, 27, of 1147 South Eighth street. Giles had cuts of the right arm. All are colored.
The Russell woman summoned Motorcycle Policeman Thomas Kauffman who arrested both men. Kauffman said Giles attacked him with a razor and he had to subdue the assailant with the butt of a pistol. Giles was held in $1000 bail charged with atrocious assault and battery while the Russell woman was held in $500 bail as a material witness.
Shots Halt Flight After Car Hits Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
Policeman Fires from Ground and Liquor Raid Fugitive Stops
Four men were arrested amid revolver shots after a Camden policeman was knocked down by a police car during a raid yesterday afternoon.
Acting on orders of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, who is continuing her drive to rid the city of speakeasies, three policemen and two detectives surrounded the home of James Ford, colored, at 1124 South Ninth street, shortly before 3 p. m.
Patrolmen Edward Shapiro and Thomas Kauffman arrived in a radio car. So did James Brown and John Houston, two colored detectives. Patrolman Earl Stopfer arrived on foot.
Three policemen went to the back door. Kauffman stayed in the radio car at the front. Shapiro knocked at the front door.
The policemen at the rear were ahead of those at front. As a result four men ran out through the front door and bowled over Shapiro. The man in the lead, who later was identified as Wilbur “Lackey” Davis, of 821 Mt. Vernon street, raced up the street, a quart bottle of liquor in hand.
Kauffman had driven his radio car behind another machine. He started the engine and attempted to back out to give chase. Shapiro ran behind the car and as he did, the machine struck him, knocking him into the middle of the street. Prone, Shapiro drew his revolver and opened fire on Davis.
Three shots were fired in the air.
Two others were closer to the fugitive, who halted. With the sound of shooting, the other three men yielded to the assembled policemen.
They gave their names as Ford, Herman Hopkins, 21, of 1124 South Ninth street, and Harry McLane, 29, of 746 Kaighn avenue.
All will be arraigned today.
Ford, Hopkins and McLane will be charged with violating the state A.B.C. act. In addition, Davis will be charged with resisting arrest.
Patrolman Shapiro was hurt but slightly.
Police Seek Body of Man Who Died in Saving Family
Charleroi, Pennsylvania Mail —
Camden N.J. (INS) Harbor police and volunteers today were searching for the body of C. Leonard Brehm, Republican leader and city sealer of weights and measures, who sacrificed his own life to save those of his wife and son, when their motorboat sank in the Delaware River below Delair.
Grabbing life preservers, Brehm fastened them around the woman and his son Leonard Jr., 12, and then endeavored to keep the motor launch afloat by pumping. Thomas Kauffman, a Camden policeman, his wife, and Edward Cooke, 12, were other members of the party saved after the launch struck a submerged rock.
Gold Badges to Be Given 15 City Cops
Camden Courier-Post —
Fifteen retired Camden City policemen will be honored by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Local 35, Wednesday night at the Police and Fire Club, 1175 Whitman Avenue.
Police Chief William H. Neale, will present awards. The awards will be gold retirement badges mounted in wallets. The men receiving them will have served 20 or more years.
According to Patrolman Robert Mentz, PBA secretary, this is the first time since 1960 that retirement badges have been presented. The ceremonies will follow the organization’s business meeting.
Awards will be made to: Edward Suski, Harry Cattell, Clifford DelRossi, Frank Gutherman, John Houston, Thomas Kauffman, William Stibi, Leon Feltz, Russell Young, Henry Leutz, George Ellis, Everett Joslin, Ralph Cline, John Kaighn and former Chief Gustav Koerner.